Pencil-lead sharpener.



T. TARLETON. PENCIL LEAD SHARPENER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28. WM-

1 1 58,582.. Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

M644} QM CcLuMBlA PLANOGRAPH CC, WASHINGTON. D. c.

THOMAS TARLETON, OIE WEMBLEY PARK, ENGLAND.

PENCIL-LEAD SHARPENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Fatented Nov. 2, 1915.

Application filed May 28, 1914. Serial No. 841,449.

To all w ham it may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS TARLnToN, subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Heathcote, The Drive, Wembley Park, in the county of Middlesex, England, have invented new and useful Improvements in or Relating to Pencil-Lead Sharpeners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to pencil lead sharpeners of the type having two plates, one or both of which are provided with a rasping surface, the plates being spaced apart, and inclined to one another and adapt ed to be held together by spring pressure.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved device for sharpening pencil leads.

In pencil sharpeners of this type as hitherto constructed, the plate or plates provided with a rasping surface have been exposed and when the plates have been connected together by a spring or hinge the connection has been at or beyond the edges where the plates are nearest to one another.

According to this invention the plate or plates provided with a rasping surface is or are disposed within a casing provided with a slot, which slot is adapted to be closed to hold the powdered lead and to act as a guard to prevent the nose of the lead holder (which forms the body of the pencil) from becoming injured when the lead is being sharpened, the slot not being wide enough to allow the nose of the lead holder to come into contact with the rasping surface and further the plates are pivoted at or near the edge where the plates are farthest apart and so arranged that when the pencil lead is inserted between the plates they are moved apart against the action of the spring.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic section of one form of pencil lead sharpening device made in accordance with this invention to an enlarged scale. Fig. 2 is a plan of the cover. Fig. 3 is a plan of the casing. Fig. 4 is a development of the casing. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the rasp holder. Fig. 6 is a development of the rasp holder. Fig. 7 is a plan of the rasp. Fig. 8 is a plan of the spring.

The plate a. is provided with a rasping surface and is pivoted by pins 7) b in the slots 0 0 in the holder cl. The holder is provided with a slot 6 adapted to engage with a pin f in the base of the casing f. A T- slot 9 is provided in the holder 0? to engage a pin 72. in the base of the cover It. The casing is provided with a fixed plate or guide m against which the pivoted plate a is pressed by a spring a. The cover 71. is provided with a longitudinal slot 79 adapted to cover or uncover the slot j as the cover is rotated to the limit permitted by the pin in the T-slots. The slot 1' is disposed longitudinally between the fixed and pivoted plates.

In use when it is desired to sharpen a pencil lead the cover is rotated to uncover the longitudinal slot 7', the lead is then inserted between the fixed and pivoted plate and sharpened by suitable motion against the rasping face or faces. The device may be made in any form so that it can be closed to prevent the powdered lead escaping and causing inconvenience. The point obtained can be flat or conical with more or less acute angle as may be desired.

The slot 7' of the casing 7, together with said casing, acts as a guard and protects the pencil lead holder from becoming injured when sharpening the lead. The acuteness of the point is or may be determined by the extent to which the lead is inserted between the plates.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is A pencil sharpener comprising a cylindrical casing, a longitudinal slot in said casing, a plate formed in one with the casing and lying within the casing, a cylindrical cover adapted to surround the cover, a longitudinal slot in said cover, a cylindrical rasp holder disposed within the casing, a rasp pivoted to the holder and lying within the casing, a spring between the rasp and the holder and adapted to press one edge of the rasp against the plate, means for turning the cover in respect of the casing, so that the slot in the cover may register with the slot in the casing or otherwise.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS TARLETON.

Witnesses:

ROBERTM1LTON SrEARroINT, HENRY SIMoNs BAKER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of latents, Washington, D. G. 

